In the Company of Gao Gao

While Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu enjoy their ‘staycation’ on Center Street, Gao Gao has stayed behind at the Giant Panda Research Station to hold down the fort. While he is currently the only panda in the area, he is far from lonely! One of the most enriching aspects of Gao Gao’s daily routine is constant interaction with his keeper team. Along with numerous feedings and training sessions provided daily, Gao Gao’s close proximity to the keeper work area allows him to watch us while we work, and call out to us when he wishes for interaction!

Gao’s current living situation includes a large yard exhibit, four air conditioned bedrooms, and a tunnel system connecting them. Most days, he has the opportunity to wander between all the spaces and choose where he wants to spend his time. The tunnel system also allows Gao Gao to wander past the keeper area. He will sometimes sit and watch us as we clean, make diets, input records, and discuss the happenings of the day. Often, we will hear him ‘bleat’ from the tunnel, a vocalization that is panda speak for “pay attention to me”! As his keepers, we are all too happy to oblige, giving scratches and encouraging him to roll, spin, and be playful.

While it might just sound like fun and games, these daily interactions play an important role in allowing keepers to monitor Gao Gao’s health and attitude as he ages. By allowing him to make choices about how he spends his days, we continue to ensure that Gao Gao lives both a comfortable and stimulating life into his golden years.

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22 Comments

mosaic_worldDecember 26, 2016

thank you for the update on Gao Gao

SamuelDecember 15, 2016

Outside China, # of male pandas capable of natural mating, is now down to one.
Limited by age and health issues, Gao Gao has reached reproductive senescence. Nevertheless, available offspring can propagate his traits; thereby diversify gene pool, under managed care.

Panda NationDecember 14, 2016

Upcoming breeding status, for Xiao Liwu’s 5 older siblings:
1) HUA MEI (b. 1999, at SDZ)
She mated last spring, but did not give birth this year. So, she could participate, in 2017 breeding.
2) MEI SHENG (b.2003)
Yet to sire any cub, to-date. Despite being a “bumbler” at natural mating, China still has high hopes for him. Sperm extraction for artificial insemination ???
3) SU LIN (b. 2005)
See remarks at earlier post below.
4) ZHEN ZHEN (b. 2007)
Her 2015 twins had been weaned, thereby allowing Zhen Zhen to recycle into estrus, for next spring.
5) YUN ZI (b. 2009)
Previously per SDZ, he might be recalled, from Hebei to Bifengxia, next year. He shall be age 7 & 1/2 then, and perhaps, be sexually mature for breeding.
Note: Except Hua Mei, the other 4 siblings (of Wu) are offspring of Gao Gao. Stay tuned, for potential new rounds of propagation, in terms of Gao’s wild-born genetic material.

Panda NationDecember 14, 2016

News from afar: SU LIN (b.2005, at SDZ), has gone into early estrus this December, She is now back at Bifengxia, in preparation for possible breeding.

JuliePDecember 10, 2016

Thanks Monitor. With this exciting news confirmed my family are visiting the SDZ next year from Australia. My grandsons have grownup with grandma’s panda mania and SDZ PandaCam. Wishing you a Merry Christmas & of course appreciation for a year of keeping us up to date.

Mary of GeorgiaDecember 9, 2016

That sweet boy is so lucky to have such loving keepers. Thank you for taking such good care of our Papa Bear.

Is there news on Xiao Liwu having his stay extended to 2018? With the Mobile App being out of use for many until now it’s not showing any Update. There was a beautiful Album of Gao Gao on Facebook recently. He decided to make a visit to his outside yard in time for the Group that were there. He looked his usual handsome self.

Monitor’s note: San Diego Zoo Global and government officials in the U.S. and China have agreed that the young panda, Xiao Liwu, will remain at the San Diego Zoo for the next couple of years while next steps for giant panda conservation are being discussed.

Tuan Yuan PandaNovember 21, 2016

I am very grateful to your team because all of you are taking very good care of our precious Gao Gao. Thank so much for the update and letting us know how he is doing. Wish my dear Gao Gao health and all the happiness. Look forward to more update of Gao Gao, Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu.

VickyNovember 4, 2016

Thank you keeper team for taking good care of Gao Gao.

NancyB San DiegoNovember 4, 2016

Any chance of seeing Gao Gao on panda cam again?

CarolineNovember 3, 2016

Evidently, desire for ‘back scratching’ by keepers, is not unique to Gao Gao. Other pandas, under managed care elsewhere, have expressed same. Wonder whether this is a trait, shared by their wild counterparts. In the wild, a panda can rub its back, against tree trunk; perhaps, to relieve itch, or for scent marking.

FlynnNovember 2, 2016

Gao Gao’s left ear
It appears that, his left external ear still carries residual scar or deformity; result of frightful wilderness encounter, with another creature (? panda), in winter of 1992. Luckily, he was saved by Chinese forest rangers, and nursed back to health, at Feng Tong Zhai Rescue Center.

TulipNovember 2, 2016

Thank you, monitor, for pointing out who captured Gao Gao’s greatness in this latest photo. Thank you Keeper Jen for taking the photo. It’s one of my faves of Gao — such a handsome profile, the pumpkin, the paws…love them! Wish Gao and I could “hold hands,” just once, for 5 seconds. Be still my heart. 🙂

Karen in the UKNovember 2, 2016

I come every year from the UK to see the SDZ pandas, I will so miss seeing him this year but I am happy he is doing well and enjoying his retirement. I always use to spend every day I could seeing Gao, such an amazing and. loved bear. I am excited to see you all again xxxxx

Mary of GeorgiaNovember 2, 2016

Thanks for taking such good care of our papa bear, Gao Gao.

LindsayNovember 1, 2016

Thank you for the informative update on GAO Gao, how wonderful to know he interacts with his keepers, thus aiding them in monitoring his health and well being. He is special.

TulipNovember 1, 2016

Thank you for the update. I’m glad to know that Gao is doing well. It’s fun to see glimpses into his his suave & charismatic personality. He holds such a special place in so many hearts.
Please let the photographer know what a great picture he or she took. Gao looks like he’s ready for a pumpkin free throw. His ‘cookie monster’ paws are so adorable. Gorgeous sweet Gao!

Monitor’s note: Photo credit goes to the talented Keeper Jen!

PattiNovember 1, 2016

Question:
Above photo shows, Gao Gao holding a whole pumpkin, with his mouth on top of it.
Has he ever tried, to bite on the pumpkin? I understand giant pandas do have strong jaw muscles, and powerful teeth. Nonetheless, would hard texture of intact pumpkin, cause further wear & tear, on his much-repaired, geriatric dentition?

Panda Keepers reply: All the pumpkins given to our pandas are carved and cleaned out so they are soft to eat (if they want to). Our pandas will play with pumpkins but don’t seem to like to eat them. Gao Gao was holding his pumpkin and appears to be eating, but he was actually just licking the honey we drizzled on top of it. After the honey was gone, he dropped it and ignored it. 🙂

Carol DavidsonNovember 1, 2016

Wonderful to hear about Gao Gao, who we all love so much. Thank you for the update.

Frances in NYCNovember 1, 2016

Wonderful to see him and know he’s still a bear on the move. Wish there were some cams on his route so we could visit with him too–please give him some love for his many fans!

zoodogNovember 1, 2016

Awww, he’s such a great bear. And FOUR air-conditioned bedrooms? Lucky him! Glad he is doing well and still getting the love and adoration he deserves.